Determination of Volatiles in Mouse Urine by Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Arnáiz, Esther; Moreno, Daniel; Quesada, Roberto

doi:10.1080/00032719.2013.853182

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…It was present in 9/15 fox urines and has been found at high levels in human urine; unexpectedly more than its 2,6-isomer, also a widely-used antioxidant, that has been the isomer of most concern [ 55 ]. In captive mice, separate urinary studies have found either the 2,4-isomer [ 56 ] or the 2,6-isomer [ 57 ]. The latter was also found in the urine of captive lions [ 58 ] and tree shrews [ 59 ] and the sternal gland of mandrills [ 60 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volatile scent chemicals in the urine of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes

2021

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The red fox is a highly adaptable mammal that has established itself world-wide in many different environments. Contributing to its success is a social structure based on chemical signalling between individuals. Urine scent marking behaviour has long been known in foxes, but there has not been a recent study of the chemical composition of fox urine. We have used solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze the urinary volatiles in 15 free-ranging wild foxes (2 female) living in farmlands and bush in Victoria, Australia. Foxes here are routinely culled as feral pests, and the urine was collected by bladder puncture soon after death. Compounds were identified from their mass spectra and Kovats retention indices. There were 53 possible endogenous scent compounds, 10 plant-derived compounds and 5 anthropogenic xenobiotics. Among the plant chemicals were several aromatic apocarotenoids previously found in greater abundance in the fox tail gland. They reflect the dietary consumption of carotenoids, essential for optimal health. One third of all the endogenous volatiles were sulfur compounds, a highly odiferous group which included thiols, methylsulfides and polysulfides. Five of the sulfur compounds (3-isopentenyl thiol, 1- and 2-phenylethyl methyl sulfide, octanethiol and benzyl methyl sulfide) have only been found in foxes, and four others (isopentyl methyl sulfide, 3-isopentenyl methyl sulfide, and 1- and 2-phenylethane thiol) only in some canid, mink and skunk species. This indicates that they are not normal mammalian metabolites and have evolved to serve a specific role. This role is for defence in musteloids and most likely for chemical communication in canids. The total production of sulfur compounds varied greatly between foxes (median 1.2, range 0.4–32.3 μg ‘acetophenone equivalents’/mg creatinine) as did the relative abundance of different chemical types. The urinary scent chemistry may represent a highly evolved system of semiochemicals for communication between foxes.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volatile scent chemicals in the urine of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes

2021

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“…The chemical structures of the characteristic mousy odorants are shown in Figure . These mousy compounds have been almost exclusively detected in male mouse urine, although a couple of studies demonstrated SBT in female mice and urine samples . This explains the previous observation that male mouse urine odour was more malodorous and qualitatively different than female urine odour .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The authors reported that purified MUPs continued to convey a mouse urine odour, suggesting that the odorant may be a ligand bound to the proteins. SBT and its structurally related compound, 2‐isopropyl‐4,5‐dihydrothiazole (IPT), were initially identified in search of potential mouse pheromones by Liebich et al The presence of SBT in male mouse urine has been demonstrated from different research groups . SBT is mouse‐specific and has not been detected elsewhere.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the persistence of mouse urine odour to human observers: a review

Kwak

Jackson

Faranda

et al. 2016

Flavour & Fragrance J

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To the human nose, mice produce unique, persistent and potent odour which is widely assumed to be derived mainly from their urine. In this review, we discuss why the mouse odour is so potent and long-lasting to the human nose. Sensory and chemical analyses have revealed that 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole (SBT) was the major mousy odorant and present almost exclusively in male urine. It is not depleted from urine even after repeated headspace or solvent extractions since its majority is tightly bound to the major urinary proteins (MUPs) in male mouse urine that serve to control the release. The urinary concentration of SBT is estimated to be around several hundred parts per million when the binding of SBT to MUPs is considered, while its human olfactory threshold is estimated to be approximately at the parts per billion level. Therefore, the strikingly persistent quality of mouse urine odour, mainly contributed by SBT, is explained by its low human olfactory threshold, its presence in urine at a high concentration, and its delayed release by MUPs.

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Partial role of volatile organic compounds in behavioural responses of mice to bedding from cancer-affected congeners

Gouzerh,

Dormont,

Buatois

et al. 2024

Biology Open

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Tumours induce changes in body odours. We compared volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soiled bedding of a lung adenocarcinoma male mouse model in which cancer had (CC) versus had not (NC) been induced by doxycycline at three conditions: before (T0), after 2 weeks (T2; early tumour development), after 12 weeks (T12; late tumour development) of the induction. In an earlier study, wild-derived mice behaviourally discriminated between CC and NC soiled bedding at T2 and T12. Here, we sought to identify VOCs present in the same soiled bedding that could have triggered the behavioural discrimination. Solid phase micro-extraction was performed to extract VOCs from 3 g-sample stimuli. While wild-derived mice could discriminate the odour of cancerous mice at a very early stage of tumour development (T2), the present study did not identify VOCs that could explain this behaviour. However, consistent with the earlier behavioural study, four VOCs, including two well-known male mouse sex pheromones, were found to be present in significantly different proportions in soiled bedding of CC as compared to NC at T12. We discuss the potential involvement of non-volatile molecules such as proteins and peptides in behavioural discrimination of early tumour development (T2), and point-out VOCs that could help diagnose cancer.

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Determination of Volatiles in Mouse Urine by Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Cited by 6 publications

References 26 publications

Volatile scent chemicals in the urine of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes

Volatile scent chemicals in the urine of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes

On the persistence of mouse urine odour to human observers: a review

Partial role of volatile organic compounds in behavioural responses of mice to bedding from cancer-affected congeners

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